Roeslani, the Indonesian ambassador, visits by OSU and Spears School
The Honorable While on a visit to his alma mater last week, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, the current Indonesian ambassador to the United States, was admitted into the Oklahoma State University Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program.
The Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program is named in honor of the former president of Oregon State University (1928–1951), who made remarkable contributions to the institution, to higher education, and later to the globe as the leader of President Harry Truman's Point Four Program.
Those who have made strides in worldwide industry, politics, or academia are awarded the fellowship. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell, as well as OSU alumni and former South Korean Prime Minister Dr. Duck-Woo Nam, have all received honors in the past.
While a student at Stillwater from 1988 to 1992, Roeslani, now 53, started his career in international business and diplomacy. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in general business and management and a minor in finance. Some of Roeslani's favorite OSU experiences include witnessing Barry Sanders competes for the 1988 Heisman Trophy and coach Eddie Sutton's Cowboy basketball team in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
I received a very fantastic education here, and I have many happy memories, said Roeslani. I'm grateful to Oklahoma State University for allowing me to serve as an ambassador to the United States.
He graduated from OSU's Spears School of Business and went on to receive his MBA from European University in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1994 before entering the banking industry. Roeslani co-founded the Recapital Group in 1997; it has since become one of the top asset management and investment firms in the world, with a portfolio that spans everything from banking to communications.
Roeslani attributes his transition from the business world to diplomacy to his time serving as the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2015 to 21. Because of his position, Roeslani had to regularly meet with Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, who shared his goal of enhancing trade, investment, and human capital ties between Indonesia and the United States. In 2021, he requested that Roeslani act as his ambassador to the United States.
Since I'm from the commercial sector, Roeslani added, "I strive to offer a fresh viewpoint to diplomacy." "Since sales are involved in both, there are parallels in both sectors. I like getting to know a lot of people, and fortunately the embassy and consulate provide me with full assistance. They assist me in achieving my objectives and aims.
By 2024, Roeslani wants two-way commerce between Indonesia and the US to reach $60 billion. According to him, both investments and that amount have grown dramatically during his tenure as ambassador—up 36% last year. The United States is now Indonesia's second-largest trading partner and its fourth-largest foreign investor.
Indonesia, a nation of 217 million people, likewise wants to increase the number of qualified workers. By the end of his first term, Roeslani hopes to increase the number of Indonesian college students studying abroad in the United States by 2,000. He has been collaborating with American businesses to encourage worker programs.
Roeslani attended the United Nations General Assembly, spoke with international leaders about renewable energy solutions, and rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange all within the past month.
It was always my aim to ring the bell on the New York Stock Exchange, but never in my wildest thoughts did I believe I would ever get to participate in events like this, "Roeslani said felt quite honored".
Roeslani has presided over the Indonesian Weightlifting Association for the past six years and is a devoted sports lover. He has been a member of the ownership groups for the professional soccer team's Inter Milan in Italy and D.C. United in the United States. He served as the Chief of Mission for the Indonesian Olympic Team for the Tokyo Games in 2021.